Thanks to "Prayers For Special Help" (web site), see that little hand with the big one? We have these words and picture to the left as a 'promo' for our upcoming sermon (on July 5th). We hope you can join us. See you then. Ponder what 'family' means to you. More on that this coming Sunday (7/5/2015). |
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Sometime back, these words were shared on the internet.
It made me wonder, what fortune is holding me back? "A great fortune is a great slavery." — Seneca You probably know the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. You've probably also heard the more practical version: He who has the gold makes the rules. I've got one Golden Rule to add: He who owns the gold is ruled by the gold. Confusing? Let Jesus clarify it with a story: A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. — Luke 18:18-23 I received the following and thought they were good words to ponder. They are shared for you as well. We are part of a world that is so much larger than ourselves that sometimes we might wonder what our place in it really is. We might wonder if in the grand scheme of time we matter at all. Perhaps we look at the enormity of the needs or suffering of the world and wonder whether anything we do has any significance. This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father's world; the birds their carols raise; the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise. This is my Father's world; he shines in all that's fair. In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me ev'rywhere. This is my Father's world; oh, let me not forget that, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world; why should my heart be sad? The Lord is king, let heaven ring; God reigns, let earth be glad! Verse 3 of "This is My Father's World" is a helpful reminder of whose place this is and who is ultimately in control (hint: it's not you and me). It doesn't take much time spent with a newspaper or on-line or just walking around with your open eyes to see a world that is deeply stained and broken. The one we see in the mirror looks that way too. Our sinful selves have been throwing quite a party and now there is quite a mess to sort out. It is easy to get sad. It is easy to get despondent. It is easy to lose hope.
The hymn suggests that we aren't the creators or the owners of this place. God can transform the bleakest situations (remember Good Friday? remember Joseph sold into slavery? remember grieving Martha and Mary? remember no food? remember no place and no home?) This is indeed God's world and God remains intent on bringing salvation, resurrection and new hope for all God's creation. God, turn our sadness into resolve to serve you by loving neighbor and loving you. Stir gladness and joy in us that we might be a balm to a world steeped in sadness and despair. Amen. Karl Hester Pastor, Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church The following is condensed from a recent "Our Daily Bread" writing and is shared for your awareness.
In his book The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis observes that 'God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world'. Suffering often helps us to redirect our focus. It shifts our thinking from immediate circumstances so we can listen to God concerning His work in our lives. So what should we know or learn about the pain that unfolds in all of our lives? That pains, problems, sad times, etc will unfold in everyone's life. It is how we deal with those times that make all the difference (as to getting through them or getting stuck in them). God knows of the pain in our lives. . . for example: "In faithfulness you have afflicted me." (Ps. 119:75) or "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." (Isa. 48:10). This means "we are not alone in our experience of pain. God Himself took on human form and suffered greatly: 'For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." (1 Peter 2:21) Thank you Dennis Fisher for sharing his words above and for this prayer. . . "Dear Lord, life is so hard sometimes. I confess that I don't always see Your purpose in my trials. Help me to trust You, and teach me to become the person that You desire me to be." |
Author(s)These brief writings are a collection from various sources. We hope you enjoy them. Let us know if you have something that you would like us to post Archives
November 2022
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